Preview: Five talking points ahead of Leeds United v Bolton Wanderers

13 August 2018

Mikey O'Gara

Phil Parkinson’s men undergo their first cup fixture of the 2018/19 season, when his side take on Leeds United in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Five talking points were picked out by bwfc.co.uk ahead of the encounter.

1. Last Time Out

When last coming up against Leeds, it was last season when the opponents took the spoils in a 2-1 defeat for the Whites at Elland Road.

Caleb Ekuban opened the scoring for the home side on four minutes, with Pablo Hernandez doubling the deficit just after the half time break.

Adam Le Fondre pulled one back for Wanderers straight after, as he expertly nodded home from a Sammy Ameobi free-kick.

2. Extending the unbeaten run

After taking four points from six available from the first two league fixtures, the Whites are looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games against United.

The last time Wanderers achieved this was in the 2017/18 season in March, drawing against Reading and Sheffield Wednesday before an Adam Le Fondre goal took the spoils against Aston Villa.

With two great results against West Brom and Bristol City to build on, the Trotters will be looking to take all that momentum into Tuesday.

3. Opponent’s current form

Leeds come into this game with great form behind them, taking maximum points from their two opening Sky Bet Championship fixtures.

They opened up the season with an emphatic 3-1 victory against former Premier League side Stoke City.

The West Yorkshire side followed this up with a 4-1 win against Frank Lampard’s Derby County.

4. New boss

This summer, there have been various new additions made by the club during the summer.

Marcelo Bielsa was appointed as manager of the club in June after the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom.

Following on from a three-year playing career in his native Argentina, this will be Bielsa’s 28th year in management.

During his time at Athletic Bilbao, he finished runner-up in the UEFA Europa League and Copa del Rey in 2011/12. He also won the gold medal with Argentina in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

He was appointed manager of Leeds in June 2018.

In terms of playing staff, full back Barry Douglas was brought in from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Scottish international was instrumental in gaining promotion to the top tier of English football for Wolves last season, playing 40 times in the league with five goals to his name.

As well as Douglas, striker Patrick Bamford signed from Middlesbrough in July. A former England youth international, Bamford was named Football League Championship Player of the Year in 2014/15 whilst playing for Middlesbrough on loan.

That season, he notched up 17 goals in 38 Sky Bet Championship games.

5. Pay on the Day

Wanderers supporters will be able to buy tickets from the turnstiles at Elland Road, tomorrow evening, on a cash only basis.

Adult, over 60 and under 23 price bands will increase by £5 on the day. Tickets for under 16’s will remain at £1.

Advanced sales are still available via the phone lines & in person at Bolton Central until 10am on Tuesday 14th August, after which time, no sales or refunds can be processed.

Season Ticket Holder/Members Match Day Prices (season or members card must be presented at the turnstiles)

Report: Leeds United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers exited the Carabao Cup in the first round after falling to a narrow defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and Samuel Saiz were the difference for the home side, with debutant Erhun Oztumer scoring for the Whites.

FIRST HALF

Leeds started the brighter in the first half, with Samuel Saiz playing a delicate chip over the top for new Leeds frontman Patrick Bamford, who put his effort wide from six yards out.

Bolton had a half chance through Erhun Oztumer shortly after, with the Turkish midfielder playing a curled cross into the area, just out of reach from striker Connor Hall.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men replied instantly, with Bamford firing from distance but his effort was never troubling Whites keeper Remi Matthews, as it sailed wide of the mark.

Oztumer provided another cross on the 20-minute mark, with the set play finding the head of defender Jack Hobbs, whose effort found Leeds goalkeeper Jamal Blackman’s gloves.

A long throw from Jonathan Grounds found midfielder Gary O’Neil in space on the edge of the Leeds area, but his effort flashed wide of the goal.

Then, on the 27th minute, Patrick Bamford shrugged off a challenge from Hobbs, to fire low and hard into the back of the net to open the scoring.

Leeds nearly doubled their tally, with Saiz turning provider once again with a chip over the Bolton backline, but winger Jack Harrison could not find the target.

The home side then found the back of Bolton goal, catching the Whites on the break through Lewis Baker, as he squared the ball to Saiz who slotted the ball home.

SECOND HALF

Phil Parkinson’s men came back into the tie on the 52nd minute, when Oztumer found space just outside the opposition penalty area and calmly placed the ball past Blackman’s outstretched arm.

Leeds responded with a chance of their own shortly after, with Bamford again causing a nuisance, firing a volley over the bar from the 18-yard line.

Just after the hour mark and Bolton nearly found the equaliser, as Yanic Wildschut hit a shot from distance which was spilled by Blackman, but full back Grounds’ follow up effort failed to hit the target.

Jack Harrison came close for Bielsa’s men with 20 minutes to go, but his curled effort sailed into the stands.

Craig Noone fired a pinpoint cross field ball to find Wildschut in acres of space, but the Dutchman couldn’t place the ball past an onrushing Blackman.

Following that, Leeds left back Pearce had a strike from distance which was never troubling shot stopper Matthews.

Substitute Craig Noone came close as the game reached its climax, but his effort flew wide.

Pay on the day confirmed for Leeds Carabao Cup clash

Wanderers supporters will be able to buy tickets from the turnstiles at Elland Road tomorrow evening on a cash only basis.

Adult, Over-60 and Under-23 price bands will increase by £5 on the day.

Tickets for Under-16s will remain at £1. Advanced sales are still available via the phone lines and in person at Bolton Central until 10am on Tuesday 14 August, after which time, no sales or refunds can be processed.

Season Ticket Holder/Members Match Day Prices (season or members card must be presented at the turnstiles)